Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold or zeiss

I'm looking at either a leupold vxII 3x9x40 or a zeiss conquest 3x9x40..I know the zeiss is about $100.00 more I've never used either..Is the zeiss a better scope or are they about the same?? I'll be mounting it on a CDL .270 for deer and elk...mostly deer out to 300yds but mostly 100-200yds..

RLB.....

ouch. Here we go.

Look on old threads.

My preference is the Zeiss by far, with nomex already on.

Jeff

Do a search and you will find many threads discussing this.The concensus among most people,is that the ziess is clearer and brighter.It also offers constant eye relief unlike leupold.But there will be one individual that will try to convince you that the only scope to even consider is leupold.He will offer fanastic rumours and unproven opinions to try and convince you.He hasn't even owned a ziess scope,or hunted with one.His name begins with E.

I have owned both and I prefer the Leupolds over the Zeiss Conquest. My name doesn't begin with 'E' though. I think you need to look through both scopes and decide for yourself what is best for you. What other guys like maybe much different than what you will like.

I have owned and shot only Leupold for over 30 years but for various reasons, have just bought a Zeiss Conquest. I think I can give you a pretty fair comparison between the two brands.

Zeiss: To me the Zeiss has superior image quality (although the VXIII is very close). The Zeiss however is more crtical in eye relief. That means that in a hunting situation, when you throw the rifle up quickly, the "sweet spot" where you get the full field of view is harder to find.

Leupold: My Leupold scopes are in general, very good optically but not quite the equal of my Zeiss. However, the eye relief is less critical. When set at equal power ranges, when you throw the rifle up, the Leupold is easier/quicker to find the "sweet spot" If weight matters to you at all, the Leupolds are generally lighter.

For me, what this all means is that each scope has its virtues and each has its faults. IMO the Zeiss is the better optical instrument by a small margin. The Leupold (MAY) turn out to be a better hunting tool.

JimF

I've had both, and like both very much ... they are simply different from each other ... not "better" or "worse" ...

Glass: Zeiss generally has slightly better image quality (only slightly)
Reticle: Zeiss reticles are etched glass, and their reticle designs are (in my opinion) superior to Leupold's, especially comparing the standard duplex versions from each mfg.
Weight: Zeiss is usually a couple (maybe 3) ounces heavier when comparing similar power ranged scopes
Eye Relief and Eye Box: Leupold wins, hands down ... but then again, it's pretty much that way when comparing a Leupold to ANY other brand scope
Overall Scope Design: Zeiss has a larger ocular with the fast focus eye piece ... some like that, some don't ... it can get in the way when mounting your scope very low (due to bolt handle clearance issues, especially if you use Butler Creek caps). The Leupold, on the other hand, can be mounted a bit lower with no worries about bolt handle clearance ... very important to most people that have rifles/stocks that fit them well, and require that the scope be mounted low for proper eye positioning
Aesthetics: Of course this is purely subjective, but generally the Leupold scopes seem to be more "sleek" in design ... As stated above, the Leupold scopes weigh less, but they look/appear to be MUCH smaller and lighter, which makes a big difference to many when they are concerned with how the scope looks on the rifle ... I have to admit, I prefer the look of the Leupold over the Zeiss, even though I think the Zeiss are handsome scopes ...
Accessories: Leupold has a few different styles of target knobs you can have installed ... Zeiss only has one style ... Leupold has sunshades, and even has their own line of "designer" caps for the lenses (some that flip up, and some that just screw on and off) ... Zeiss says they are planning on releasing some sunshades for their conquest line, but has not done so yet (they say they are still working on producing them, and they should be out this year) ... Both mfg's will let you send the scope in for parallax adjustments, and for reticle changes, so that's an even deal in comparsion ...


Bottom line, is that you're not gonna be upset with either ... both scopes have lifetime warranties, and are very good with their customer service. Best to get to a store with both, and persuade them to let you walk outside with a few of each and really compare them in low light ... decide which is best for you, and don't look back ...

WGM, that is the best job I have seen anyone do on these two scopes - thanks for an unbiased viewpoint!

I would suggest that you try a vxIII 6.5x20x40efr before making that statement.I have one on my 22-250 and reguardless of how you mount it,the eye relief changes so much from 6.5x to 20x,that you must move your head to obtain a proper sight picture.I have never had this problem with any scope by any other manufacturer.The only reason that I chose the vxIII is that conquests in this power range were not available with a 40mm objective lens.
As for the eye relief on the conquests,I find the fixed eye relief an advantage,and have never had a problem quickly obtaining the proper sight picture.So on that point,we strongly disagree.However,I do agree with the other points in your post.

Nice comparison job WGM!

I have had Leupy's for over 25 years, no complaints. Tried Cheaper Simmons, Bushnells, Weavers, etc. But have over time replaced all but one so far with Leupold. Knowing what I know now, I'd of bought the Leupy's to start with but hindsight bein 20/20, and at times having to battle budget restaints.....well many here should understand that. But that's just one man's opinion who has done a little hunting and shooting.........


Good luck, Rob

Rob,

Your experience parallel's my own, after buying and selling many different brands of scopes (Kahles, Zeiss, Simmons, Redfield, Nikon, Leupold etc.) the Leopold�s and the Nikon Monarchs are all I have left. These two scope brands for me are the best overall scopes you can buy for the money.

Ken,

I don't think that were alone in that boat either. Boils down to sticking with a quality scope brand that works hard and proves it's self reliable to the user. If a scope manufacturer like Leupold, Nikon, or Ziess promotes it's self well and the end user buys one and REALLY uses it in harsh conditions, where in the scope proves it matches the "sales hype" than that company probably has a life long consumer. Leupold has earned that with me, and I will probably stray no more, unless something radically changes with their product. As for Simmons and Weaver, etc., they will never get any buisiness from me again. Leupy's won me over, and has yet to let me down. Could have easily been Ziess, but then circumstance and oppurtunity put a Leupy in my lap 1st. And though I strayed a few times to save a buck, I ended up coming back to leupolds every time.

Rob

If the heavier and longer Conquest is not going to bother you then you will get much better optics with the Zeiss technology.

I wish all my nine Luppies were Zeiss.

In most hunting there are all kinds of shots but the scope is very important. Leu's system is old. Buy the Zeiss.

I've heard you mention this before ... but I have to now ask ... what is this "system" you keep referring to?

and before you get going with your explanation, please understand I realize that Zeiss has different glass and coatings (that some consider superior) ... and that the design of the Zeiss ocular is different in that it's got fixed eye relief and a fast focus ... However, that "system" has been around a while too, and is hardly considered "new" ...

I believe VX-II's still have 2 piece tubes.

The Zeiss 3-9 x 40 has their boxed erector assembly, constant eye relief (close enough to constant to call it such), an etched reticle that I prefer to flattened wire, and 4 inches or so of that eye relief.

More precise adjustments, better zoom range (more closely approximating a 3-9), better image, and a one piece main tube are all found on the Conquest.

Yawn, here we go......... again.

Hopefully, the poster has enough information to make a decision. If so, he won't be distracted by all the dust and skirts flyin'

JimF

Ken ... if directed toward me (about the "yawn, here we go again") ... I truly don't wish this thread to go that way ... I simply want to know what this "old system" is that Savage_99 is talking about, that makes the Leupold scopes inferior. I asked, for information's sake ... not for an argument or to flame ...

If you meant the comment to be directed toward the topic in general, yah, I agree ... which is why I said in my earlier post that this has already been beaten to death ...

I strongly suggest that you race down to the local Boxmart and procure a Tasco. Then proceed to use it alot and let it aggravate the f*** out of you.

When completed with that part then buy either of the 2 mentioned scopes and be happy with your selection as it will be a good one either way.

get the vx3 instead opf the vx2 if you want the better leupold.

They both work for ANYTHING DURING LEGAL HOURS IN THE USA. If you want to hunt at night, get an illuminated or heavy reticle and they will both STILL work. I have compared them enough now to know.

Very well said! I just want to help prevent the "Tasco Troubles" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> scenario for someone if at all possible.

Rob